Look beyond SmartCity: CM

Tvm: Chief Minister Shri V S Achuthanandan has said that the IT industry in Kerala should look beyond the proposed SmartCity project in Kochi. He said the Trivandrum Technocity, Infopark Phase II and Cyberpark would begin this year and these projects would open ample opportunities for IT in Kerala.

Interacting with the media on the occasion on the fourth anniversary of the LDF Government in Thiruvananthapuram, the Chief Minister said, “We might have to abandon the SmartCity project and go forward. It’s a big disappointment for people in Ernakulum but the development of Infopark Phase II will, to some extend, fulfil their aspirations”. He blamed the promoters for unrealistic demands which are not there in the original framework agreement. “There is uncertainty about this project but we are giving them some more time to consider it”, he added. Infopark Phase II is expected to generate about one lakh jobs, more than the SmartCity had projected.

The Chief Minister also said, “My government was unwavering in its focus on the principles of welfare, development and peace.” In spite of the worldwide economic recession, the last four years have been good for IT in Kerala and there has been overall development in this area. The hub and spoke model of IT parks in Kerala would provide world class infrastructure for the industry to grow and florish.

IT has reached the Malabar area with the launch of Cyberpark in Kozhikode, the CM added. The Cyberparks at Cheemeni in Kasargode and Taliparamba in Kannur would start this year. These two parks would work as spokes of the Cyberpark hub in Kozhikode.